Conversation with Bill Richardson

Jul. 11, 2007

Question: You are one of the few presidential candidates not in the U.S. Senate, is it frustrating that you are an outside voice talking about Iraq and not able to do something about it?

Answer: "Oh, it is an advantage being governor in a presidential race right now. We've had a history of electing governors. Six of the last seven presidents are ex-governors. I think governors are seen as those as individuals who fix problems and balance budgets and manage states."

Q: So how would you fix Iraq?

A: "I would withdraw the troops within six months. They are targets now. I would sponsor, the United States would sponsor a reconciliation of three groups where they divide up into three separate entities and divide up the oil revenues. I would have an all-Muslim peace-keeping force. I think I could put that structure together. But while we have our forces there the fighting will go on. ... This is a Muslim war. We would help them with the reconstruction of Iraq with Europe and Japan and other countries, we just can't do it all. ...

"I don't want to give the impression that by withdrawing troops I would totally abandon Iraq. We've got to strive to bring structure there, peace, some kind of stability. But our obsession with the war in spending close to $450 billion has caused us to not concentrate on what the real threats to this country are."

Q: Are western issues really so different from issues in the rest of the country?

A: "Yes. Nobody has western issues like water, scarcity of water, droughts, fire."

Q: What would the federal government do about fires?

A: "For one, we need more equipment, need a more concentrated regional strategy. I think our fire capabilities are good. But they got rid of the C-130s for dumping water. The forest service needs to be beefed up for fire emergencies."

Q: You supported invading Iraq, can you talk a little bit about why and could that be a problem for you?

A: "After the invasion, I was governor of New Mexico, I was taking care of my state. The president decided to invade and I thought the best thing I could do was support the decision because I wanted to support the troops. But when the strategy started falling apart and when the American people were lied to that there were weapons of mass destruction and there was incompetence in the execution of taking over Iraq, I said, there is no strategy here."

A: "By out-working everybody. By going grassroots. I will have sufficient resources to compete in the first four states with media and volunteers and organization. There are seven more debates. I must do well here -- not necessarily win, but I've got to do well. I believe we are headed that way. I am working the state very hard. I'm going to shake as many hands as I can."

A: Anything else you want to say to Nevada voters?

Q: "They should keep me in mind because I'm a fellow Westerner with similar values and I'm going to work very hard to earn their vote. I hope to be talking about Western issues. The advantage of my being president is I will focus a lot on Western issues. I know what needs to get done. ... And I'll protect Nevada. We won't have any nuclear waste."